Brett Anderson back, and he’s in A’s bullpen; Milone sent out

Brett Anderson returned from the disabled list today after missing four months with a stress fracture in his right foot – and for the first time in his life, the A’s Opening Day starter finds himself in the bullpen.

“I was torn – I don’t know if I need a Mohawk or a mustache. I can’t do them all,” Anderson joked – the A’s relievers have faux-hawks and the starters facial hair.

Anderson has a genuinely great attitude about this when many starters would be sulking; he said he’s looking forward to pitching in relief because it’s all new, something of an adventure.

“I’m kind of excited because I don’t know my role and I don’t know what I’ll be doing,” Anderson said. “Starting, I know the routine.”

Anderson did work one game in relief this season, working 5 1/3 innings in the A’s 19-inning win over the Angels in April; he allowed three hits and one run in that game.

Manager Bob Melvin said the A’s could use Anderson for any number of roles, but they would like to get Anderson stretched out if possible, “which is kind of difficult to forecast when that opportunity comes,” he said. “I could use him for a hitter, I could use him for a couple of innings, I could try to stretch him out based on how the game is going. It’s more of a feel thing. We’ll wait and see.”

Left unsaid – tonight’s starter, Dan Straily, didn’t make it out of the fourth inning his last time out and tomorrow’s starter, Bartolo Colon, is just coming off the disabled list and he’d had two short outings right before going on the DL. That’s two potential spots, one or the other, in which to get Anderson stretched out.

Melvin said that bringing Anderson back in the bullpen was the most practical way to get him back up quickly without having him “waste too many bullets” with rehab starts.

Jerry Blevins said the bullpen does have some special treatment in mind for their newest member. Anderson will not have to carry the candy bag, a job assigned to the reliever with the least service time, but he will get a spot of hazing. Blevins wouldn’t provide details, but he said Anderson can talk about it he wishes to later.

Tommy Milone was optioned to Classs-A Stockton to make room for Anderson; he’s going there because the Ports are not expected to make the postseason and Milone can return as soon as their season is done. Triple-A Sacramento still has an outside shot at a playoff spot. So Milone should return to the A’s early next week, along with several anticipated September callups, including some notable names.

Milone said it was definitely in the back of his mind that he might be sent out, but he knows he’ll be right back up. Straily could be looking at similar treatment after tonight’s start; he’d be back in time for his next turn in the rotation if sent to an affiliate that does not make the playoffs., and the A’s need a roster spot for Colon tomorrow.